Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	good_a	love_n	love_v	3,988	5	6.5055	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A88943	Church-government and church-covenant discussed, in an answer of the elders of the severall churches in New-England to two and thirty questions, sent over to them by divers ministers in England, to declare their judgments therein. Together with an apologie of the said elders in New-England for church-covenant, sent over in answer to Master Bernard in the yeare 1639. As also in an answer to nine positions about church-government. And now published for the satisfaction of all who desire resolution in those points.	Mather, Richard, 1596-1669.; Mather, Richard, 1596-1669. Apologie of the churches in New-England for church-covenant.; Peters, Hugh, 1598-1660.; Davenport, John, 1597-1670.	1643 (1643)	Wing M1270; Thomason E106_8; Thomason E106_9; ESTC R18913	104,756	140

church-government_n and_o church-covenant_n discuss_v in_o a_o answer_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o several_a church_n in_o new-england_a to_o two_o and_o thirty_o question_n send_v over_o to_o they_o by_o divers_a minister_n in_o england_n to_o declare_v their_o judgement_n therein_o together_o with_o a_o apology_n of_o the_o say_a elder_n in_o new-england_n for_o church-covenant_n send_v over_o in_o answer_n to_o master_n bernard_n in_o the_o year_n 1639._o as_o also_o in_o a_o answer_n to_o nine_o position_n about_o church-government_n and_o now_o publish_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o all_o who_o desire_n resolution_n in_o those_o point_n london_n print_v by_o r._n o._n and_o g._n d._n for_o benjamin_n allen_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o shop_n in_o pope_n head-al_o 1643._o to_o the_o reader_n it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o believe_v that_o such_o discourse_n as_o this_o will_v meet_v with_o divers_a censure_n the_o profane_a and_o ignorant_a loathe_v christ_n and_o any_o thing_n concern_v he_o the_o formalist_n account_v such_o truth_n troublesome_a that_o may_v engage_v he_o in_o the_o change_n of_o his_o opinion_n and_o practice_n and_o some_o of_o the_o wise_a will_v be_v apt_a to_o question_v the_o tyme_v such_o light_n as_o this_o yea_o doubtless_o this_o pamphlet-glut●ed_n age_n will_v so_o look_v upon_o it_o and_o lay_v it_o by_o but_o because_o i_o do_v conceive_v that_o this_o sword_n will_v not_o be_v sheathe_v which_o be_v now_o draw_v till_o church-work_n be_v better_a know_v and_o more_o countenance_v and_o since_o safety_n be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o temple_n psa_n 27._o 3_o 4_o 5._o i_o can_v not_o but_o help_v on_o this_o which_o attend_v and_o practise_v may_v prove_v our_o security_n next_o to_o christ_n these_o be_v either_o sudden_a answer_n to_o our_o doubt_v and_o inquire_v brethren_n or_o some_o satisfaction_n render_v about_o our_o so_o much_o slight_v church-covenant_n which_o we_o can_v not_o but_o think_v may_v come_v to_o view_v for_o the_o present_a stay_n to_o some_o faithful_a soul_n that_o call_v for_o light_n and_o intend_v to_o use_v it_o well_o for_o other_o of_o what_o kind_n soever_o we_o must_v bear_v their_o hard_a thought_n among_o th●se_a usual_a load_n of_o scandal_n that_o man_n of_o our_o judgement_n must_v carry_v especial_o if_o zeal_n for_o the_o truth_n draw_v they_o forth_o to_o public_a observation_n nor_o do_v we_o purpose_v god_n help_v we_o to_o succumb_v under_o calumny_n be_v the_o livery_n of_o quiet_a time_n than_o these_o let_v we_o be_v vile_a still_o so_o god_n and_o his_o ark_n may_v be_v more_o glorious_a yet_o this_o i_o do_v profess_v for_o myself_o and_o brethren_n that_o as_o we_o have_v not_o be_v deal_v with_o nor_o convince_v of_o any_o offence_n so_o we_o shall_v ever_o be_v ready_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o that_o hope_n which_o be_v in_o we_o be_v call_v thereunto_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o over_o look_v these_o barking_n of_o black_a mouth_n and_o wish_v a_o good_a comment_n be_v make_v upon_o the_o text_n of_o our_o plain_a meaning_n the_o only_a way_n i_o know_v to_o reach_v god_n mind_n in_o worship_n will_v be_v to_o love_v the_o truth_n for_o its_o own_o sake_n yea_o to_o love_v it_o when_o it_o shall_v condemn_v our_o practice_n and_o person_n also_o who_o have_v not_o observe_v that_o the_o first_o step_n to_o error_n be_v the_o decline_a the_o truth_n in_o love_n to_o it_o ⁂_o hence_o popery_n beget_v she_o first_o brat_n and_o have_v nurse_v it_o up_o with_o thesame_a milk_n we_o will_v earnest_o desire_v that_o none_o will_v call_v that_o unsensonable_a or_o unreasonable_a which_o god_n seem_v even_o now_o to_o call_v for_o at_o the_o call_n of_o this_o synod_n and_o will_v carry_v so_o much_o reason_n with_o it_o as_o god_n and_o his_o truth_n will_v own_v more_o tenderness_n and_o respect_n to_o our_o brethren_n we_o know_v not_o how_o to_o show_v who_o send_v we_o these_o 32._o question_n no_o other_o deal_n will_v we_o have_v from_o our_o brethren_n not_o consent_v with_o we_o some_o river_n have_v be_v note_v to_o differ_v in_o the_o colour_n of_o the_o water_n yet_o run_v in_o the_o same_o channel_n let_v jesus_n christ_n be_v lift_v up_o by_o we_o all_o let_v we_o love_v he_o whilst_o we_o dispute_v about_o he_o presbytery_n and_o independency_n as_o it_o be_v call_v be_v the_o way_n of_o worship_n and_o church_n fellowship_n now_o look_v at_o since_o we_o hope_v episcop_n 〈…〉_z out_o and_o will_v be_v bury_v without_o expectation_n of_o another_o resurrection_n we_o be_v much_o charge_v with_o what_o we_o own_v not_o viz_o independency_n when_o as_o we_o know_v not_o any_o church_n reform_v more_o look_v at_o sister_n church_n for_o help_v then_o we_o do_v only_o we_o can_v have_v rule_n yet_o discover_v from_o any_o friend_n or_o enemy_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v under_o canon_n or_o power_n of_o any_o other_o church_n under_o their_o council_n we_o be_v we_o need_v not_o tell_v the_o wise_a whence_o tyranny_n grow_v in_o church_n and_o how_o common_a wealth_n get_v their_o pressure_n in_o the_o like_a kind_n these_o be_v our_o sigh_n and_o hearty_a wish_n that_o self_n may_v be_v conquer_v in_o this_o poor_a nation_n which_o shut_v the_o door_n against_o these_o truth_n know_v good_a reader_n we_o do_v not_o hereby_o go_v about_o to_o whistle_v thou_o out_o of_o any_o know_v good_a way_n of_o god_n common_o question_n and_o answer_n clear_v up_o the_o way_n when_o other_o treatise_n leave_v we_o to_o darkness_n read_v they_o and_o what_o we_o say_v for_o a_o church-covenant_n it_o may_v save_v charge_n and_o time_n in_o read_v other_o book_n remember_v we_o strive_v not_o here_o for_o masterye_n but_o give_v a_o account_n of_o our_o practice_n wherein_o if_o thou_o know_v we_o fail_v candidus_n imperti_fw-la if_o we_o agree_v let_v we_o work_v by_o our_o platform_n and_o may_v thy_o soul_n flourish_v as_o a_o green_a heath_n or_o water_a garden_n so_o pray_v thy_o hearty_a h._n peter_n the_o xxxii_o question_n state_v 1_o whether_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o english_a there_o by_o estimation_n be_v not_o as_o yet_o unadmit_v to_o any_o congregation_n among_o you_o and_o the_o reason_n thereof_o 2._o what_o thing_n do_v you_o hold_v to_o be_v essential_a and_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n of_o christ_n 3._o whether_o do_v you_o not_o hold_v all_o visible_a believer_n to_o be_v within_o the_o visible_a church_n as_o member_n thereof_o and_o not_o without_o in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n 1_o cor._n 5._o and_o therefore_o ought_v so_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o accept_v in_o all_o congregation_n wheresoever_o they_o shall_v come_v and_o be_v so_o know_v and_o ought_v if_o they_o desire_v and_o be_v not_o otherwise_o unfit_a of_o right_a to_o be_v permit_v to_o partake_v in_o all_o god_n ordinance_n and_o church_n privilege_n there_o so_o far_o as_o they_o personal_o concern_v themselves_o although_o they_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o fix_v member_n in_o particular_a covenant_n either_o with_o that_o congregation_n where_o for_o the_o present_a they_o reside_v nor_o with_o any_o other_o 4._o whether_o you_o do_v not_o hold_v that_o baptism_n right_o for_o substance_n partake_v do_v make_v they_o that_o be_v so_o baptise_a member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o so_o to_o have_v right_a at_o lest_o quoad_fw-la nos_fw-la to_o all_o the_o privilege_n thereof_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v otherwise_o fit_a until_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o if_o they_o so_o deserve_v by_o excommunication_n 5._o whether_o do_v you_o not_o admit_v child_n under_o age_n as_o member_n of_o the_o church_n together_o with_o and_o in_o the_o admission_n of_o their_o parent_n or_o parent_n so_o as_o thenceforth_o they_o may_v partake_v of_o all_o church_n privilege_n be_v otherwise_o fit_a without_o any_o other_o personal_a profession_n of_o faith_n or_o enter_v into_o church_n covenant_n when_o they_o shall_v come_v to_o year_n and_o how_o long_o do_v you_o count_v they_o under_o age_n 6._o whether_o do_v not_o you_o admit_v orphan_n under_o age_n with_o and_o in_o their_o guardian_n 7._o whether_o do_v you_o admit_v or_o refuse_v child_n under_o age_n only_o accord_v to_o the_o present_a estate_n of_o their_o near_a parent_n or_o do_v you_o not_o admit_v they_o if_o any_o of_o their_o next_o ancestor_n before_o their_o parent_n be_v believer_n 8._o whether_o do_v you_o require_v of_o all_o person_n of_o age_n who_o you_o admit_v member_n of_o any_o church_n 1._o a_o public_a vocal_a declaration_n of_o the_o manner_n and_o soundness_n of_o their_o conversion_n 2._o a_o public_a profession_n of_o their_o faith_n concern_v the_o article_n of_o religion_n 3._o a_o express_a verbal_a covenant_v to_o walk_v with_o

primum_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la populus_fw-la potestatem_fw-la habens_fw-la elegendi_fw-la dignum_fw-la ministrum_fw-la habet_fw-la etiam_fw-la testae_fw-la cypriano_n potestatem_fw-la indignum_fw-la recusandi_fw-la deinde_fw-la qui_fw-la judices_fw-la sunt_fw-la censoresque_fw-la morum_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la ex_fw-la officio_fw-la tenentur_fw-la redargnere_fw-la peccantem_fw-la ministrum_fw-la si_fw-la duobus_fw-la aut_fw-la tribus_fw-la testibus_fw-la fide_fw-la dignis_fw-la coram_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la dei_fw-la convictus_fw-la fuerit_fw-la tertiò_fw-la iidem_fw-la cum_fw-la consensu_fw-la &_o suffragiis_fw-la plebis_fw-la deponent_a ministrum_fw-la vel_fw-la ad_fw-la ltempus_fw-la vel_fw-la in_o universum_fw-la vel_fw-la excommunicabunt_fw-la tandem_fw-la juxta_fw-la quaitatem_fw-la peccati_fw-la vel_fw-la defectus_fw-la illius_fw-la p._n 429._o doctor_n ames_n say_v potestas_fw-la huius_fw-la disciplinae_fw-la viz._n of_o excommunication_n quoad_fw-la jus_o ipsum_fw-la pertinet_fw-la ad_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la illam_fw-la in_o communi_fw-la cujus_fw-la membrum_fw-la est_fw-la peccator_fw-la ad_fw-la illos_fw-la enim_fw-la pertinet_fw-la ejicere_fw-la ad_fw-la quos_fw-la pertinet_fw-la primò_fw-la admittere_fw-la &_o corporis_fw-la totius_fw-la interest_n ex_fw-la aequo_fw-la membrorum_fw-la conservatio_fw-la vel_fw-la amputatio_fw-la cum_fw-la ecclesi●_n idcirco_fw-la consensu_fw-la eoque_fw-la magistratu_fw-la non_fw-la permittente_fw-la tantum_fw-la sed_fw-la &_o approbante_fw-la &_o constituente_fw-la est_fw-la executioni_fw-la mandanda_fw-la medul_a theol._n l._n 1._o c._n 37._o sect._n 26._o last_o master_n parker_n observe_v a_o distinction_n between_o power_n and_o the_o dispence_n of_o power_n that_o the_o one_o be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o the_o other_o in_o the_o presbyter_n have_v these_o word_n neque_fw-la tamen_fw-la dispensatio_fw-la omnis_fw-la omneque_fw-la exercitum_fw-la est_fw-la penes_fw-la rectores_fw-la solos_fw-la sed_fw-la juxta_fw-la temperamentum_fw-la formae_fw-la partim_fw-la aristocratice_fw-la partim_fw-la democraticae_n de_fw-la manda●ae_fw-la rectoribus_fw-la suis_fw-la ecclesi●_n que_fw-la ipsa_fw-la per_fw-la se_fw-la obire_fw-la satis_fw-la commodè_fw-la nequit_fw-la retinente_fw-la vero_fw-la dispensationem_fw-la illam_fw-la illudque_fw-la exercitium_fw-la quod_fw-la &_o ipsi_fw-la convenit_fw-la &_o pertinet_fw-la ad_fw-la ejus_fw-la lignitatem_fw-la authoritatem_fw-la &_o libertatem_fw-la à_fw-la christo_fw-la donatam_fw-la posit_n eccles_n l._n 3._o c._n 7._o and_o elsewhere_o he_o say_v imo_fw-la vero_fw-la est_fw-la &_o publica_fw-la clavium_fw-la tractatio_fw-la quam_fw-la plebes_fw-la christiana_n in_fw-la unum_fw-la coacta_fw-la sine_fw-la ullo_fw-la acrilegio_fw-la administrat_fw-la polit._n eccles_n l._n 3_o c._n 2_o p._n 8._o these_o testimony_n we_o think_v good_a to_o produce_v in_o this_o question_n lest_o any_o shall_v think_v that_o to_o give_v any_o church_n power_n of_o government_n to_o the_o people_n be_v some_o singular_a opinion_n of_o we_o swerve_v from_o the_o truth_n and_o disallow_v by_o orthodox_n writer_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o no_o doubt_n but_o beside_o these_o here_o cite_v the_o same_o be_v teach_v by_o uther_n also_o who_o now_o we_o spare_v to_o allege_v intend_v only_a ●hese_n few_o for_o a_o taste_n instead_o of_o many_o 2._o and_o therefore_o when_o this_o question_n demand_v whether_o we_o give_v the_o exercise_n of_o all_o church_n power_n of_o government_n to_o the_o whole_a congregation_n or_o to_o the_o presbyter_n thereof_o alone_o our_o answer_n be_v neither_o thus_o nor_o so_o neither_o all_o to_o ●he_v people_n exclude_v the_o presbytery_n nor_o all_o to_o the_o presbytery_n exclude_v the_o people_n for_o this_o be_v to_o make_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n either_o mere_o democraticall_a or_o mere_o aristocratical_a neither_o of_o which_o we_o believe_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v 3._o whereas_o this_o question_n demand_v to_o know_v what_o act_n of_o government_n the_o presbyter_n may_v do_v more_o than_o any_o other_o may_v do_v and_o to_o have_v those_o particular_a act_n mention_v this_o seem_v to_o we_o to_o be_v a_o very_a large_a demand_n for_o who_o be_v able_a to_o mention_v all_o the_o particular_a act_n of_o government_n which_o any_o one_o governor_n may_v perform_v in_o his_o time_n especial_o if_o he_o continue_v long_o in_o his_o place_n but_o if_o your_o meaning_n in_o this_o point_n be_v not_o of_o the_o individuall_n but_o of_o the_o species_n or_o kind_n yet_o even_o there_o also_o it_o be_v much_o to_o require_v the_o particular_a mention_v of_o all_o yet_o to_o give_v you_o a_o taste_n take_v these_o the_o call_n of_o assembly_n and_o dismiss_v of_o the_o same_o again_o the_o ordinary_a preach_v of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v do_v by_o way_n of_o office_n and_o be_v the_o people_n mouth_n unto_o god_n in_o prayer_n the_o dispense_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n the_o permit_v of_o any_o to_o speak_v in_o a_o orderly_a way_n and_o again_o enjoin_v silence_n the_o put_v of_o matter_n to_o vote_n and_o pronounce_v of_o sentence_n in_o the_o censure_n of_o offender_n or_o receive_v in_o of_o penitent_n after_o their_o fall_n and_o blessing_n of_o the_o people_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n these_o be_v act_n of_o church_n government_n which_o the_o presbyter_n may_v do_v according_a to_o the_o word_n and_o another_o member_n may_v not_o do_v without_o breach_n of_o order_n and_o presume_v above_o his_o place_n 4._o it_o be_v also_o here_o demand_v what_o the_o presbyter_n may_v do_v without_o the_o particular_a consent_n of_o the_o rest_n to_o which_o we_o answer_v that_o when_o they_o do_v what_o the_o lord_n christ_n who_o steward_n they_o be_v by_o his_o word_n require_v of_o they_o in_o their_o place_n this_o shall_v not_o be_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n ●or_a the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o consent_v thereto_o christ_n sheep_n ought_v to_o hear_v his_o voice_n john_n 10._o 27._o and_o to_o obey_v they_o that_o speak_v unto_o they_o in_o his_o name_n heb._n 13._o 17._o and_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v in_o such_o case_n wilful_o dissent_v the_o church_n ought_v to_o deal_v with_o such_o a_o one_o for_o not_o consent_v to_o the_o will_n and_o way_n of_o christ_n or_o else_o they_o shall_v all_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o sinful_a dissent_n of_o such_o a_o one_o so_o that_o this_o passage_n if_o it_o be_v mean_v of_o presbyter_n do_v their_o duty_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n go_v upon_o a_o supposal_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o people_n of_o that_o which_o never_o ought_v to_o be_v neither_o be_v we_o to_o suppose_v but_o that_o there_o may_v be_v rule_n when_o the_o elder_n and_o brethren_n do_v not_o dissent_v nor_o be_v divide_v one_o from_o another_o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o that_o believe_v in_o the_o first_o christian_a church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v of_o one_o heart_n and_o of_o one_o soul_n a_o l._n 4._o 32._o yet_o none_o needs_o to_o doubt_v but_o there_o be_v rule_v and_o government_n among_o they_o when_o yet_o their_o agreement_n be_v such_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o flder_n do_v nothing_o without_o the_o full_a consent_n of_o the_o rest_n it_o be_v a_o miserable_a mistake_n either_o to_o think_v that_o in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n the_o elder_n and_o brethren_n must_v needs_o dissent_v one_o from_o another_o or_o if_o they_o all_o consent_n that_o then_o there_o can_v be_v no_o rule_v but_o against_o the_o people_n mind_n they_o be_v none_o of_o the_o best_a shepherd_n to_o their_o flock_n unto_o who_o the_o lord_n say_v with_o force_n and_o rigour_n have_v you_o rule_v they_o ezech._n 34._o 4._o as_o for_o do_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o place_n which_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n the_o lord_n and_o master_n of_o the_o church_n command_v not_o nor_o allow_v such_o thing_n they_o neither_o aught_o to_o do_v nor_o ought_v the_o church_n to_o consent_v unto_o they_o if_o they_o shall_v for_o that_o be_v to_o make_v themselves_o partaker_n of_o their_o ruler_n sin_n and_o so_o to_o bring_v judgement_n upon_o they_o all_o as_o when_o the_o priest_n do_v wicked_o bear_v rule_n and_o the_o people_n love_v to_o have_v it_o so_o jeremiah_n 5._o 31._o 5._o last_o this_o question_n demand_v how_o and_o over_o who_o in_o those_o act_n of_o government_n which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o elder_n more_o than_o by_o other_o member_n or_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n the_o presbyter_n do_v rule_v in_o propriety_n of_o speak_v more_o than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o congregation_n wherein_o be_v sundry_a particular_n 1._o how_o they_o rule_v whereunto_o we_o answer_v that_o neither_o the_o elder_n nor_o the_o people_n do_v rule_n with_o lordly_a and_o princely_a rule_n and_o sovereign_a authority_n and_o power_n for_o that_o be_v proper_a to_o christ_n over_o his_o church_n who_o be_v the_o only_a lord_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 5._o and_o king_n and_o lawgiver_n that_o be_v able_a to_o save_v and_o to_o destroy_v isa_n 33._o 23._o psal_n 2._o luk._n 19_o 27._o jam._n 4._o 12._o the_o elder_n be_v forbid_v to_o be_v lord_n over_o god_n heritage_n 1_o pet._n 5._o 3._o or_o to_o exercise_v

have_v separate_v i_o from_o his_o people_n v_o 3._o beside_o bring_v they_o into_o the_o church_n as_o member_n and_o grant_v they_o the_o privilege_n of_o member_n be_v promise_v as_o a_o reward_n and_o blessing_n upon_o this_o their_o join_n to_o the_o lord_n by_o faith_n and_o obedience_n v_o 7._o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o the_o same_o but_o a_o distinct_a thing_n from_o it_o the_o one_o be_v promise_v as_o a_o reward_n and_o blessing_n upon_o the_o other_o second_o the_o lord_n promise_v that_o he_o will_v make_v they_o member_n of_o his_o church_n they_o will_v i_o bring_v to_o my_o holy_a mountain_n and_o make_v they_o joyful_a in_o my_o house_n of_o prayer_n three_o that_o among_o other_o thing_n requisite_a to_o make_v they_o member_n this_o be_v one_o viz._n the_o take_a hold_n of_o that_o covenant_n which_o be_v between_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n and_o god_n v_o 6._o so_o that_o hence_o we_o may_v gather_v that_o man_n may_v be_v member_n of_o christ_n join_v to_o the_o lord_n by_o faith_n and_o love_n and_o yet_o for_o the_o present_v not_o be_v member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o that_o when_o god_n be_v so_o gracious_a to_o true_a believer_n as_o to_o make_v they_o member_n of_o his_o visible_a church_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o they_o join_v in_o covenant_n before_o but_o may_v not_o faith_n in_o christ_n believe_v in_o heart_n on_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n object_n be_v all_o the_o take_a hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n that_o be_v here_o mean_v not_o so_o but_o over_o and_o above_o that_o here_o be_v also_o mean_v their_o open_a answer_n profession_n of_o their_o faith_n in_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o open_a bind_v of_o themselves_o by_o covenant_n to_o all_o such_o duty_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n as_o god_n require_v of_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o member_n thereof_o now_o distinct_o take_v the_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n in_o three_o or_o four_o particular_a proposition_n first_o there_o be_v a_o covenant_n between_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n and_o god_n exod._n 19_o 5_o 6_o 7_o 8._o ezek_n 16._o 8._o deut._n 29._o 10._o etc._n etc._n second_o this_o covenant_n be_v mutual_a not_o only_o a_o promise_n on_o god_n part_n to_o be_v their_o god_n and_o to_o take_v they_o for_o his_o people_n but_o also_o reciprocal_o on_o their_o part_n to_o give_v up_o themselves_o unto_o god_n to_o be_v his_o people_n and_o to_o do_v the_o duty_n of_o people_n to_o their_o god_n the_o covenant_n be_v not_o mere_o to_o receive_v from_o god_n and_o promise_v nothing_o back_o again_o to_o he_o nor_o do_v god_n bind_v himself_o therein_o and_o leave_v man_n at_o liberty_n but_o it_o be_v mutual_a on_o both_o part_n as_o these_o scripture_n declare_v gen._n 17._o 1._o exod._n 197._o 8._o deut._n 5._o 27._o &_o 26._o 16_o 17._o hos_fw-la 2._o 23._o &_o zach._n 13._o 9_o three_o hereupon_o it_o follow_v that_o if_o man_n have_v not_o promise_v and_o also_o perform_v in_o some_o measure_n of_o truth_n the_o duty_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n unto_o god_n they_o have_v not_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n but_o have_v discovenant_v themselves_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n unto_o their_o father_n or_o other_o thus_o though_o god_n promise_v abraham_n to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o he_o and_o to_o his_o seed_n in_o their_o generation_n gen._n 17._o 7._o yet_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n descend_v from_o abraham_n be_v discovenant_v by_o not_o promise_v nor_o perform_v those_o duty_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n which_o god_n require_v on_o the_o people_n part_n when_o a_o covenant_n contain_v promise_n on_o god_n part_n and_o duty_n also_o on_o man_n he_o do_v not_o take_v hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n that_o take_v one_o part_n and_o leave_v another_o four_o to_o believe_v what_o god_n promise_v in_o the_o covenant_n for_o his_o part_n and_o to_o promise_v in_o a_o private_a way_n the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n on_o man_n part_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v these_o stranger_n member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o they_o must_v do_v it_o open_o and_o in_o the_o view_n of_o the_o church_n else_o the_o church_n can_v have_v have_v no_o warrant_n to_o have_v admit_v such_o into_o their_o fellowship_n if_o their_o faith_n and_o obedience_n have_v not_o be_v visible_o profess_v exod._n 12._o 43._o 48_o 2_o chron._n 23._o 19_o and_o in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o covenant_n be_v mutual_a when_o these_o stranger_n do_v manifest_v their_o take_n hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n they_o manifest_v and_o profess_v both_o faith_n and_o obedience_n both_o that_o they_o believe_v what_o god_n promise_v and_o that_o they_o will_v be_v obedient_a to_o what_o he_o require_v if_o any_o shall_v have_v claim_v church-fellowship_n say_v i_o believe_v the_o promise_n but_o will_v not_o bind_v himself_o to_o any_o duty_n of_o evangelicall_n obedience_n this_o have_v be_v a_o take_a hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n by_o the_o half_n a_o take_n of_o one_o part_n of_o it_o in_o seem_v and_o pretence_n and_o a_o leave_v of_o another_o but_o it_o will_v not_o have_v be_v sufficient_a to_o have_v bring_v a_o man_n into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n such_o of_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n as_o will_v not_o come_v to_o jerusalem_n to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n be_v to_o be_v separate_v from_o the_o church_n in_o the_o day_n of_o ezra_n ezra_n 10._o 8._o and_o therefore_o such_o as_o be_v stranger_n shall_v refuse_v to_o enter_v into_o it_o can_v not_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o take_a hold_n of_o god_n covenant_n which_o be_v there_o require_v to_o make_v these_o stranger_n member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o believe_a in_o heart_n on_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o a_o open_a profession_n that_o they_o do_v believe_v and_o likewise_o a_o promise_n of_o obedience_n or_o subjection_n unto_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o a_o open_a profess_v of_o such_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n and_o that_o be_v the_o join_n in_o covenant_n which_o we_o stand_v for_o before_o a_o man_n can_v be_v a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n even_o a_o open_a profession_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o obedience_n a_o three_o argument_n be_v take_v from_o those_o scripture_n which_o show_v 3_o that_o man_n become_v member_n by_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n or_o be_v join_v to_o they_o act._n 2._o 47._o &_o 5._o 13._o &_o 9_o 26._o if_o man_n become_v member_n of_o the_o church_n by_o be_v add_v or_o join_v then_o join_v in_o covenant_n or_o profess_v of_o subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n or_o covenant_n of_o god_n be_v that_o whereby_o a_o man_n become_v a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n but_o the_o former_a be_v true_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o scripture_n foremention_v and_o therefore_o the_o latter_a be_v true_a also_o but_o all_o the_o doubt_n in_o this_o argument_n will_v be_v concern_v the_o consequence_n of_o the_o major_a proposition_n but_o that_o may_v be_v make_v good_a by_o this_o reason_n and_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o viz._n that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v add_v or_o join_v to_o the_o church_n by_o any_o other_o mean_n without_o this_o join_n in_o covenant_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o assertion_n will_v appear_v by_o show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o all_o other_o mean_n without_o this_o join_n in_o covenant_n and_o that_o may_v be_v do_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n ensue_v when_o man_n be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n it_o may_v be_v no_o more_o be_v mean_v 1._o but_o that_o god_n do_v convert_v they_o and_o work_v faith_n in_o their_o heart_n and_o that_o convert_n of_o they_o be_v the_o add_v of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n this_o can_v be_v all_o for_o first_o saul_n be_v convert_v and_o have_v faith_n answer_n wrought_v in_o his_o heart_n and_o yet_o he_o be_v not_o at_o the_o first_o receive_v for_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n though_o he_o assay_v to_o be_v join_v unto_o they_o till_o they_o be_v better_o satisfy_v in_o his_o spiritual_a estate_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o barnabas_n act._n 9_o 26_o 27_o 28._o and_o those_o stranger_n isa_n 56._o as_o be_v say_v before_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n by_o be_v convert_v and_o have_v faith_n wrought_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o yet_o they_o do_v lament_v it_o with_o grief_n that_o they_o be_v not_o join_v as_o member_n to_o the_o visible_a church_n the_o lord_n have_v separate_v i_o from_o his_o people_n say_v they_o ver_fw-la 3._o the_o old_a say_n be_v true_a concern_v the_o visible_a church_n there_o be_v many_o wolf_n within_o and_o many_o sheep_n without_o second_o those_o that_o be_v join_v be_v believer_n before_o they_o join_v for_o it_o be_v say_v divers_a be_v